The 2006 Sheep & Goat Brochure for Colorado is now on-line and available for downloading/viewing at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/NR/rdonlyres/EBAF94C7-81E4-...322/0/sheep_goat.pdf

The big game drawing application deadline is April 4, 2006 (postmarked). Only Colorado residents may apply for sheep and goat licenses on-line via the Internet.

Three desert bighorn tags are again available, but are limited to residents only.

Colorado's Bighorn Sheep raffle tag info is available at: http://www.bighornsheep.org/Raffles.htm#2006BighornRamRaffle

Colorado's Mountain Goat raffle tag info is available at: http://www.bighornsheep.org/Raffles.htm#2006MtnGoatRaffle

Colorado residents may apply on-line. That capability is in place now at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/ShopDOW/AppsAndLicenses/

Okay I have a question about the sheep tag draw. What's the 3 year deal. Do you have to apply 3 years before you get preference points or do you have to apply 3 years before you get entered in the drawing. I was talking to an outfitter from Colorado and he said I have no chance of drawing a sheep or goat tag in Colorado if I don't have any points. Why would I send them $3200 for 2 tags I don't have a chance at drawing? Apparently I'm missing something after reading the book, I just can't figure out what. Thanks and have a great day! Joe

In Colorado, a true preference point program is in place. A modification now exists which allows applicants, with the maximum amount of preference points (3), to gain a “weighted” point each year that they do not draw. You must have 3 preference points to be in the actual draw. Under the current rules what that means is that a person that has never entered the draw (for Bighorn Sheep / Mountain Goat) must send in their fees, all tag & application fees up front and by mail if you're a non-resident, for three years without any chance of being drawn. During this three year period (again, under current rules) your money, minus the $3 application fee, is refunded. After going through this for three years, you are then eligible to actually draw a tag in the fourth year you apply and going forward from that point. If you don’t draw, after accruing the maximum of three preference points, then you’ll receive a “weighted” point each year that you don’t draw. "Weighted" points do NOT equate to another chance in the draw as many folks think, it's actual a means whereby your odds are improved by having your randomly generated draw number reduced (a very good thing). A good explanation of “weighted” points can be found at: http://bighornsheep.infopop.cc/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/2...9932/m/323101772/p/1

If you want to get totally confused, go read about how the draw is actually done: http://wildlife.state.co.us/NR/rdonlyres/F170874E-4B4F-...Draw_Explanation.pdf

By the way - as of yesterday, only 1,300 of the available 2,500 raffle tickets for the statewide tag had been sold. That's great odds, especially considering you can purchase up to 25 tickets per person.

The drawing for this tag takes place on Saturday, March 4th, 2006 (just over a week away)!

Colorado's Bighorn Sheep raffle tag info is available (including a ticket order form) at: http://www.bighornsheep.org/Raffles.htm#2006BighornRamRaffle

Thanks RamDreamer for the excellent explanation. That is about the stupidest thing I ever heard! If they are going to have my money for a couple months I should at least have a chance at drawing a tag! But I guess if I want to play the game I have to play by their rules! I'm in this for the long haul anyway so I might as well start getting some points. Just doesn't seem too fair to me though. Thanks Joe

PS: I already have the winning raffle ticket so don't anyone buy anymore! Okay?

It may sound crazy, but that is there rules. This will be my fourth year entering CO draw, so maybe this will be my year, but I dobt it. I just consider it a short term loan for the state.

According to: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/BigGame/

The planned posting date (on the website) of the 2006 draw results for Rocky Mountain Bighorns, Desert Bighorns (resident only) and Mountain Goats is May 4th.

The draw results are available on-line at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/BigGame/DrawResultsAndPrefPoints/

You'll need to enter your last name, date of birth and zip code.

Oh, and, uh, by the way, I DREW!!!

No luck for me. I'm thinking I'll have to pony up, and go to Alberta to finish my slam.

RamDreamer! That's great! I have 2 more years before I'm even in the drawing, but just you wait! I'll draw a tag and get my sheep yet!
So you going to give us some details on your hunt? What unit, going solo, outfitter, backpack hunt, pack-in?? Let us "draw-a-tag wannabes" in on your hunt. Thanks Joe

Lookingfor#1,

Thanks. I drew sheep unit 33. It is residents only with only two tags this year. This will be the first year that the unit has been open in 15 years. As such, I'm hoping we can get on a whopper. I use guides & outfitters and don't try to do this stuff on my own any more. There are a lot of reasons for that, but I won't get into that now. The details aren't worked out yet, but I do plan to hunt with Jeff Chadd. I hunted Alaska with Jeff many years ago and look forward to the opportunity to hunt with him again. Jeff now resides in the area where I drew, although he still maintains his business in Alaska.

You dirty suck egg dog!

Congrats!

Yeah, Buddy!!! The tag arrived in this afternoon's mail. It's really, really happening!

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Ramdreamer....Congrats on your S33 tag. Ihave hunted elk in the area and it is beautiful. I drew my first ever sheep tag in S68 this year. They don't have very many whoppers coming out of that area, but hey, I am going sheep hunting. This was my 6th year applying. So it took a while, but not as long as some. I will be using my .30-06. I have typically used 180 gr Winchester Silvertips for Deer and Elk. I plan on dropping to 150's, and I am looking at the Hornady's. Any suggestions?

Congratulations, dogger! It's a terrific feeling, isn't it!?!

I stand by my belief that you should shoot what your rifle prefers. Hornady products are outstanding, just be sure that's what works in your rifle. And then, whatever you settle on using, be sure you are completely and throughly familiar with it (meaning that you know all of the drift and drop information associated with that bullet and load). I tape that information to my rifle stock, and use a laser rangefinder, as I believe it to be a huge confidence boost.

I did that for my wife last year. She'd always lacked confidence in shooting past 200 yards. Equipped with the "cheat sheet" on her rifle and using a rangefinder, she knew that the range on her first ever Pronghorn last year was 350 yards. Confidently, she squeezed off the shot and dropped him in his tracks.

Nada for me this year. Congrats, dogger and RamDreamer on your draw. enjoy your hunts as who knows when you'll hit on another tag.